Q. Is there any city code or regulation covering installation and upkeep of fences? For example, drive south to north on Bailey Cove Road and you will see every size, material, painted -- mostly unpainted -- falling down, missing boards, patched, etc. Even new ones will return to the old, gray, warped state. It would help as some have done to plant shrubs in front of them. This also helps the environment. These are lovely homes on Bailey Cove, but these old, unpainted fences in poor condition certainly distract from such a nice neighborhood. I am sure this is a problem around the city. I think people need a little extra pride outside of their four walls."

A. Huntsville does have a fence ordinance, and it requires owners to maintain their fences "in good and proper condition and repair, free of loose or missing material, and free of any defects, damage or decay ... so that at all times it presents a neat and orderly appearance to surrounding property owners and to the general public."

Fences also have to be secured in a way that prevents them from leaning or collapsing. Electric fencing, barbed wire, razor wire and concertina wire are off-limits in residential areas.

Keith Atchley, code enforcement manager for the city's Community Development office, said the city had a row of privacy fences built along Bailey Cove Road several years ago with the understanding that they would be maintained by residents. But several of the fences have had repeated storm damage, he said Thursday.

Anyone who wants to report a dilapidated fence should call Atchley's office, 427-5414. If city employees verify that the fence does not meet code, the property owner will be issued a written citation and given 60 days to fix the problems.

The city cannot dictate what color people paint their fences, said Atchley.